Click these links for more photos:
I’ve also posted several videos at the end of this blog.
The Village of Webster tried something new last night: a reimagined Holiday Parade of Lights to replace the very popular parade which winds down Main Street during the village’s White Christmas celebration every (non-COVID) year.
It most respects, it was very successful. Most would say too successful, actually.
While organizers expected only 4,100 cars to weave through the 1/2-mile long “parade,” many more unexpectedly showed up, creating very long wait times.
It was an unfortunate and aggravating situation for everyone, to be sure. But those who endured the invonvenience were rewarded with a magical and spectacular display courtesy more than 50 first responder agencies, community groups and local businesses who came out in force and endured the weather, their bodies and vehicles covered in twinkling lights.
People waiting their turn in the staging parking lot might have been grumpy, but when they saw what awaited them in the main lot, their frowns disappeared.
What I saw during my time there were kids and parents beaming, leaning out the windows waving back at the exhibitors. One girl yelled “This is AMAZING!” As they finally came to the end of the parade, the children positively exploded with delight upon seeing Santa wishing them a “Merry Christmas,” and many parents took the time to honk their horns, show a thumbs-up or yell “thank you!”
There’s been a lot of grousing on various social networks by families disappointed with the event. The criticisms are legitimate. But I’m sure the organizers and exhibitors would love to hear from folks who enjoyed themselves, despite the aggravations. These are people who spent hundreds of hours pulling together miriad details to create a much-needed holiday event, some of whom were outside in the cold and rain and snow for more than 12 hours.
So I would ask that comments here be positive and supportive. Because despite everything, The Holiday Parade of Lights gave everyone who waited in those long lines one magical night when we could forget about COVID and life seemed a little bit more normal.
Here are some videos from the event:
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We brought our grandchildren (ages 4 and 8), and they lost patience with the long wait, so we had to make a U-turn and go home. Yet during our wait, we played games and made up stories. I hope it was a memorable event for them. Bravo to those who organized an event that was TOO successful. Maybe there are ways to do this again next year and shorten the wait times.
Thanls, Mary. I’m sorry you had a disappointing experience, but I hope you enjoy the photos I post later. Hopwfully next year’s parade of lights will return to normal.
All good. I’m hoping we modeled how to have fun, even if the thing you came for didn’t work out.
The parade was beautiful, congratulations to all those who organized it. And a special thanks to all the first responders who stayed in the cold and snow untill the last car went through, around 10:15pm. (well done 1st. Responders)
Thank you, Jim, for your kind words and perseverance. It was wonderful to see you and I hope we can get together again soon.
We went with my son & his wife and their 3 1/2 year old daughter. Yes the wait was crazy, since we did have assigned times with a ticket. We made it through after 2 1/2 hours in the car, playing music singing Christmas carols and telling stories. My granddaughter was so excited for all the lights, firetrucks and Santa. She was yelling out the car window to everyone “Merry Christmas”. She wanted to see more lights, and every house on our way home she kept saying “more lights there too”. Thanks to all the efforts of the volunteers and local business’ that participated. I’m sure they were cold and wet, and wished we had thought to bring them cocoa or coffee! To next year and a normal parade we hope!
Thank you so much for adding your thoughts, Cindy !!